25 AI Prompts to Outline Your Novel in 90 Minutes
✨ 🚀 Writing a novel? Stop overthinking the outline. This 90-minute system + 25 AI prompts will get you from idea to chapter breakdown—fast. #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #Storytelling
A novel outline doesn’t have to take weeks. You don’t need to spend hours agonizing over scene structure or character backstory before you start writing. In fact, the longer you overthink, the harder it becomes to finish anything.
A fast outline keeps momentum high, forces you to focus on what matters, and gives you enough structure to start drafting without getting stuck.
We aren’t looking for perfection in our outline. What we want to achieve is a functional roadmap - in 90 minutes. You’ll hit the major beats, shape your protagonist’s journey, and lay down a simple chapter structure. You’ll also avoid the biggest pitfalls—outlines that are too vague to be useful or so rigid they kill creativity.
In this article I’ll break down exactly what to focus on, how much time to spend, and how to keep moving forward. At the end of each part, you’ll get a set of prompts to help push your ideas further. You can follow the plan step by step or adjust the timing as needed, but the goal is the same: a complete novel outline in a single session.
Let’s start.
Part 1: Core Story Foundation (0-30 Minutes)
A novel needs a foundation before it can stand. That doesn’t mean writing a ten-page worldbuilding document or mapping out every subplot. It means defining the spine of the story—who it’s about, what happens, and why it matters.
This section breaks that down into three fast steps: locking in your genre and premise, nailing the inciting incident and ending, and mapping the major turning points. You won’t be staring at a blank page, wondering what happens next. By the end of these 30 minutes, you’ll have a clear direction and enough momentum to keep going.
1. Choose Your Story’s Spine (5 Minutes)
The best stories don’t meander. They have a strong core that drives everything forward. That starts with three things: genre, protagonist, and conflict.
Genre: What kind of story are you telling?
A novel without a clear genre struggles to find readers. It also makes your job harder. You don’t need to memorize genre rules, but you do need to know whether you’re writing a thriller, a fantasy epic, or a contemporary drama. Every genre comes with reader expectations. A mystery needs a crime. A romance needs tension. A horror novel needs fear.
Example: Blake Crouch’s Dark Matter is a sci-fi thriller. From page one, it knows exactly what it is—high-stakes, fast-paced, and full of mind-bending twists. There’s no unnecessary setup. Every scene serves the core concept: What if you could step into an alternate version of your life?
Protagonist: Who is at the heart of this journey?
A strong protagonist has a goal and something holding them back. They don’t need to be fully developed yet, but they do need to be interesting. If you can’t describe your protagonist in one sentence, they might not be ready.
Example: In The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins introduces Katniss in a single paragraph. She’s a survivor. She protects her family. And she’s about to be thrown into a situation where those traits will be tested. Simple, clear, effective.
Conflict: What’s the central problem?
A novel without conflict is just a series of events. The best stories have clear external stakes and deep internal struggles. External conflict is what happens to the protagonist. Internal conflict is how they change because of it.
Example: In The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, two magicians are forced into a deadly competition they don’t fully understand. That’s the external conflict. The internal struggle? Falling in love despite knowing they might have to destroy each other.
AI Prompt:
Suggest five high-concept novel ideas in the [genre] of [your choice]. Each idea should include a protagonist with a strong goal, a central conflict, and a unique hook.
2. The Big Moments: Inciting Incident & Ending (10 Minutes)
Every novel has a moment that kicks off the story—the inciting incident. And every novel has a resolution that makes the journey worth it. These two moments should connect. If your story starts in one place and ends in a completely unrelated one, something’s off.
The Inciting Incident: Why Now?
The inciting incident isn’t just the first interesting thing that happens. It’s the moment that forces the protagonist to act. Without it, they would stay in their ordinary life.
Example: In The Martian by Andy Weir, astronaut Mark Watney is left for dead on Mars. Before that moment, his biggest challenge was a routine mission. After? Survival at all costs.
A weak inciting incident is one the protagonist could ignore. A strong one makes that impossible.
The Ending: What Changes?
The ending is the answer to the story’s central question. If the protagonist starts as one person, they should end as another. The final scene should feel inevitable but not predictable.
Example: Project Hail Mary, also by Andy Weir, starts with a scientist waking up alone in space with no memory of how he got there. The book ends with a decision that reflects how much he’s changed.
AI Prompts:
For the novel idea '[insert your chosen idea],' suggest three possible inciting incidents that force the protagonist into action.
Based on the selected inciting incident, generate three different ways the novel could end that reflect how the protagonist changes.
3. Mapping the Major Turning Points (15 Minutes)
A strong story has structure. That doesn’t mean forcing it into a formula, but it does mean recognizing that every good novel moves through key turning points. Readers expect movement—setup, escalation, climax, and resolution. If nothing shifts, they stop caring.
The simplest way to outline this is using three major acts:
Act 1: The Setup & First Major Decision
Where does the story start?
What problem does the protagonist face?
What decision pushes them into the main conflict?
Example: In A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik, El starts off isolated and bitter. The first major decision? Whether to help another student, even though it might make her a target.
Act 2: The Midpoint Shift & Escalation
What’s the biggest moment of change?
What new challenge forces the protagonist to adapt?
Example: In The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, the midpoint flips the story from a clever heist to a deadly power struggle. The con artists become the hunted. Stakes go from high to life-or-death.
Act 3: The Climax & Resolution
What’s the final test?
How does the protagonist prove they’ve changed?
What does the ending say about the story’s core theme?
Example: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang builds to a brutal climax where Rin must choose between power and morality. It’s not just an action scene—it’s the culmination of everything she’s learned (or failed to learn).
AI Prompts:
For the novel idea '[insert your chosen idea],' outline a three-act structure that includes the setup, a midpoint shift, and the climax.
Expand on Act 1 by generating three potential first major decisions the protagonist could face.
For Act 2, suggest three unexpected twists that raise the stakes and force the protagonist to adapt.
For Act 3, propose three different climactic moments that challenge the protagonist’s core belief or goal.
What You Have After 30 Minutes
At this point, you should have:
✅ A one-sentence summary of your novel
✅ A clear inciting incident and ending
✅ A three-act breakdown with major turning points
This is enough to prevent mid-story confusion while keeping things flexible. Now, with the foundation set, it’s time to deepen the characters and conflicts.
Part 2: Character & Conflict Development (30-60 Minutes)
A plot is just a sequence of events until the characters make it matter. Readers don’t care about action unless they care about who it’s happening to. A strong protagonist, a worthy antagonist, and a supporting cast that creates tension will turn a basic outline into a story that feels alive.
This section focuses on three things: defining the protagonist’s transformation, building an antagonist who pushes them to their limits, and shaping a supporting cast that adds layers to the conflict.
4. The Protagonist’s Transformation (15 Minutes)
A protagonist needs more than a name and a backstory. They need a reason for readers to care. That reason comes from their goal, flaw, and arc.
Goal: What Do They Want?
A protagonist without a clear goal is just reacting to the plot. They don’t need to know what they want right away, but the reader should.
Example: In Circe by Madeline Miller, Circe wants to define her own identity outside of the gods. That desire drives everything, from her exile to her relationships to the choices she makes in the climax.
Flaw: What Holds Them Back?
A strong protagonist isn’t just struggling against external obstacles. They’re also fighting something within themselves.
Example: In The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, Linus Baker is a rigid rule-follower who doesn’t question authority. His arc isn’t just about dealing with magical children—it’s about realizing he doesn’t have to follow the rules if they’re wrong.
Arc: How Do They Change?
By the end of the novel, the protagonist should either overcome their flaw, be destroyed by it, or find a way to live with it.
Example: In Vicious by V.E. Schwab, Victor and Eli both start with the same belief: extraordinary people are above morality. By the end, Victor has learned that power alone isn’t what defines him. Eli, on the other hand, doubles down, leading to his downfall.
AI Prompts:
Describe a protagonist for the novel idea '[insert your idea].' Include their name, core personality traits, and what makes them interesting.
Generate three possible goals for this protagonist, each with a different motivation and stakes.
List three internal flaws or fears that could hold this character back from achieving their goal.
Describe how this protagonist changes by the end of the novel. Offer three different character arcs with varying levels of transformation.
5. The Antagonist & External Pressure (10 Minutes)
A strong antagonist isn’t just an obstacle. They’re a person (or force) with their own logic, motivation, and sense of purpose. The best ones believe they’re the hero of their own story.
Who (or What) Is the Antagonist?
Not every antagonist is a villain. Sometimes it’s a corrupt system, an uncontrollable force, or even the protagonist themselves. But no matter what it is, the antagonist should create direct, personal pressure on the protagonist.
Example: In The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, the antagonist isn’t just a dragon. It’s also centuries of political manipulation, religious conflict, and secrecy that keep people from stopping the real threat.
Why Do They Want to Win?
The best antagonists aren’t evil for the sake of it. They have a goal that makes sense—even if it’s destructive.
Example: In Jade City by Fonda Lee, the warring crime families both believe they’re protecting their people. Their conflict isn’t black and white. It’s survival.
How Do They Challenge the Protagonist?
A good antagonist doesn’t just fight the protagonist physically. They force them to question their beliefs, push them into tough decisions, and make them doubt themselves.
Example: In A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, the antagonist isn’t just one person. It’s trauma, self-destruction, and the weight of past abuse that Jude can’t escape. The conflict is internal, but it’s just as brutal as any external fight.
AI Prompts:
Create an antagonist for the novel idea '[insert your idea].' Include their goal, personality, and why they believe they’re right.
Suggest three different ways this antagonist could challenge the protagonist—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.
List three scenes where the antagonist forces the protagonist to make a difficult choice.
6. Supporting Cast & Subplots (5 Minutes)
Side characters exist for a reason. They’re not just there to react to the protagonist—they add pressure, reveal new angles of the conflict, and make the world feel alive.
Who Matters?
Not every side character needs a detailed backstory. But every major one should affect the protagonist’s journey in some way.
Example: In The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, Alabaster isn’t just a mentor. He’s a warning. His past choices mirror what the protagonist could become, forcing her to reconsider her own path.
How Do They Shape the Conflict?
Allies push the protagonist forward (but might not always agree with them).
Rivals force the protagonist to stay sharp.
Mentors provide wisdom (or dangerous misinformation).
Love interests introduce vulnerability and stakes.
Betrayers test the protagonist’s trust.
Example: In The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, the supporting cast isn’t just there for decoration. Each member of the group has their own agenda, and their shifting alliances are what drive the story’s tension.
Do They Have Their Own Goals?
Good side characters don’t exist just to serve the protagonist. They have their own problems, desires, and arcs—even if they’re smaller.
Example: In Red Rising by Pierce Brown, Sevro isn’t just the comic relief. He has his own journey, and his choices in the final book prove he was never just a sidekick.
AI Prompts:
List three supporting characters for the novel idea '[insert your idea],' each with a unique role in the protagonist’s journey.
For each supporting character, generate a conflict that puts them at odds with the protagonist at some point in the story.
Suggest three subplot ideas that could deepen the story and connect back to the main conflict.
What You Have After 60 Minutes
At this point, you should have:
✅ A fully developed protagonist with a goal, flaw, and arc
✅ A strong antagonist with clear motivation and direct conflict
✅ A supporting cast that adds layers to the story
This is the heart of the novel. Now, in the final 30 minutes, it’s time to build a chapter-by-chapter guide and make sure the pacing works.
Part 3: Scene Planning & Momentum (60-90 Minutes)
With the story’s foundation in place, it’s time to break it down into manageable pieces. A novel outline doesn’t need to be rigid, but it should give you a roadmap. If you start writing with only a vague sense of where you're going, the middle will stall. This section focuses on turning the broad structure into a simple chapter plan, ensuring every scene moves the story forward, and stress-testing the outline for pacing and stakes.
By the end of this phase, you’ll have a chapter-by-chapter guide that’s strong enough to keep you moving but flexible enough to allow surprises.
7. A Simple Chapter Breakdown (15 Minutes)
A full novel outline doesn’t need to be complicated. Many published authors use a basic 10-15 scene structure. That’s enough to keep the plot tight while giving space for natural flow. The key is ensuring that each chapter has a purpose—either pushing the main plot forward, deepening conflict, or revealing something important.
How Many Chapters?
Most commercial novels have 50-80K words, which usually breaks into 20-40 chapters. But that doesn’t matter yet. Right now, you just need a basic sequence of major scenes.
Example: In The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg, the first few chapters establish the setting and character relationships. But by Chapter 3, the inciting incident forces Ceony into a life-changing situation. The pacing stays tight, making sure nothing drags.
Building the Core Outline
Here’s a simple way to structure it:
Opening Hook & Inciting Incident (Chapters 1-3)
First Major Decision & Rising Action (Chapters 4-6)
Midpoint Shift That Raises the Stakes (Chapters 7-10)
Major Setback or Dark Moment (Chapters 11-15)
Climax & Resolution (Chapters 16-20)
Example: Legend by Marie Lu moves fast because every chapter serves the plot. Even in quieter moments, tension is always building—revealing new stakes, developing relationships, and raising questions that demand answers.
AI Prompts:
Generate a rough 15-chapter outline for the novel idea '[insert your idea].' Ensure each chapter has a clear purpose and advances the story.
For each chapter, add a short description of what happens, focusing on key actions, turning points, or revelations.
8. Adding Conflict & Stakes to Each Scene (10 Minutes)
A well-paced novel isn’t just about what happens. It’s about why it matters. Every scene should introduce or escalate conflict, tension, or uncertainty. If it doesn’t, it’s filler.
Why Does This Scene Exist?
Before locking in your chapter breakdown, check that each one does at least one of the following:
✅ Pushes the protagonist toward (or away from) their goal
✅ Reveals important information
✅ Raises stakes or introduces a new obstacle
✅ Develops a key relationship
✅ Forces a difficult choice
Example: In An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, every chapter escalates tension. If a character is resting, they’re also realizing new dangers. If they’re strategizing, they’re also dealing with emotional fallout. There’s never a wasted moment.
Escalating the Conflict
A common problem in first drafts is a middle that drags. If nothing major happens for too long, readers check out. The best fix? Increase pressure, consequences, and urgency.
Example: The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin doesn’t just show characters reacting to conflict—they are forced to make increasingly tough decisions that change the course of the story.
AI Prompts:
For each chapter in the outline, suggest a source of tension, stakes, or conflict that raises the pressure on the protagonist.
List three possible ways a scene could escalate beyond the protagonist’s expectations.
For the midpoint scene, generate a major twist that shifts the story’s direction and forces the protagonist to rethink their approach.
9. Testing the Outline for Pacing & Gaps (5 Minutes)
A fast outline can still have weak spots. Before calling it done, run a quick quality check. If any part feels slow, repetitive, or disconnected, tweak it now.
Does the Story Keep Moving?
Are there long stretches without conflict? (If so, something needs to go wrong.)
Is there a noticeable escalation from beginning to end?
Does each chapter build on the last, or do some feel like filler?
Example: In The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, the pacing is relentless. Even quieter chapters set up the next disaster. Every moment builds tension.
Are the Stakes High Enough?
Is the protagonist’s goal clear and urgent?
What happens if they fail? (If the answer is “not much,” the stakes need work.)
Does the antagonist’s pressure increase over time?
Example: One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus keeps the stakes personal. Every secret revealed has real consequences, pulling characters deeper into the mystery.
Does the Ending Deliver?
Does it pay off the story’s central conflict?
Does it feel earned (not just sudden or convenient)?
Does it leave a lasting impression?
Example: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman builds toward an ending that feels inevitable yet deeply emotional. It works because every chapter before it laid the groundwork.
AI Prompts:
Analyze the pacing of this outline. Identify any weak spots where conflict or stakes might be too low.
For each act, suggest ways to increase tension and urgency, ensuring no section feels slow.
Evaluate the ending based on the protagonist’s arc. Does it feel satisfying? If not, propose three stronger alternatives.
What You Have After 90 Minutes
At this point, your novel outline is ready. You should have:
✅ A chapter-by-chapter breakdown with key turning points
✅ Escalating conflict and stakes in every section
✅ A checked and refined structure to keep pacing tight
This is enough to start drafting immediately. The best part? Because the outline is structured but flexible, it won’t stifle creativity. You can adjust as you go, but you’ll never be stuck staring at a blank page.
From Outline to Draft in Record Time
A novel outline doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be functional. The purpose of this 90-minute method isn’t to lock yourself into an inflexible plan—it’s to give you enough structure to write without second-guessing every scene. Overthinking kills momentum. A clear roadmap creates it.
At this point, you have:
✅ A solid premise with a protagonist, conflict, and stakes
✅ A clear inciting incident and ending that connect thematically
✅ A three-act structure with major turning points mapped out
✅ A character arc that ensures growth, struggle, and transformation
✅ A chapter breakdown with escalating conflict and high stakes
✅ A tested outline that keeps the pacing tight and the tension rising
That’s all you need to start writing.
This method focuses on momentum, not perfection. The biggest mistake writers make is getting stuck in endless planning cycles—tweaking their outline for weeks instead of actually writing. The second biggest mistake? Jumping in without a plan and getting lost halfway through. This process avoids both.
If the outline feels too rigid later, adjust it. If a new idea hits mid-draft, use it. The goal isn’t to follow every detail perfectly—it’s to make sure you never stare at a blank page, wondering what happens next.
This is where the real work begins. But with this outline, you’re not starting from zero. You’re starting with a map. Now, all that’s left is the journey.